Loan Modification For Dummies

The crucial information you need to secure a reliable loan modification and save your home Behind on your mortgage payments? Worried about losing your home? Don’t panic. Loan Modification For Dummies gives you the reliable, authoritative, easy-to-understand guidance you need to apply for and secure a loan modification that lowers your monthly house payment and keeps you in your home. This practical, plain-English guide leads you step by step through the loan modification process, from contacting your lender to applying for a loan modification, evaluating the lender’s initial offer, and negotiating a modification that lowers your monthly payment while helping you catch up on any past-due amounts. You’ll learn how to communicate with your bank or loan servicer, recognize and avoid loan-modification scams, and find a knowledgeable loan modification specialist, if you choose not to do it yourself. Advice on determining whether you’re likely to qualify for your lender’s loan modification program Guidance on preparing and submitting a loan modification application that improves your chances of success Helps you figure out a monthly payment you really can afford Tips on modifying your loan even when you owe more than your home’s current market value Negotiation advice for securing the best possible terms and lowest monthly payment Resources for contacting your lender, obtaining free or affordable third-party assistance, and getting government agencies on your side Read Loan Modification For Dummies and start saving your home today.

• ISBN13: 9780470501993
• Condition: New
• Notes: BRAND NEW FROM PUBLISHER! BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed

Rating: (out of 2 reviews)

List Price: $ 19.99
Price: $ 6.88

Loan Modification For Dummies

The crucial information you need to secure a reliable loan modification and save your home Behind on your mortgage payments? Worried about losing your home? Don’t panic. Loan Modification For Dummies gives you the reliable, authoritative, easy-to-understand guidance you need to apply for and secure a loan modification that lowers your monthly house payment and keeps you in your home. This practical, plain-English guide leads you step by step through the loan modification process, from contacting your lender to applying for a loan modification, evaluating the lender’s initial offer, and negotiating a modification that lowers your monthly payment while helping you catch up on any past-due amounts. You’ll learn how to communicate with your bank or loan servicer, recognize and avoid loan-modification scams, and find a knowledgeable loan modification specialist, if you choose not to do it yourself. Advice on determining whether you’re likely to qualify for your lender’s loan modification program Guidance on preparing and submitting a loan modification application that improves your chances of success Helps you figure out a monthly payment you really can afford Tips on modifying your loan even when you owe more than your home’s current market value Negotiation advice for securing the best possible terms and lowest monthly payment Resources for contacting your lender, obtaining free or affordable third-party assistance, and getting government agencies on your side Read Loan Modification For Dummies and start saving your home today.

Rating: (out of 2 reviews)

List Price: $ 19.99
Price:

Maxed Out

Examines the various problems stemming from increasing consumer debt, corrupt practices within the industry, finance industry’s ties to the governmentIn Maxed Out, author/director James D. Scurlock (Maxed Out: Hard Times, Easy Credit and the Era of Predatory Lenders) takes on America’s debt crisis. Consequently, he touches on related issues like race, corporate malfeasance, and political subterfuge. Scurlock’s multi-media approach incorporates statistics, news excerpts, and interviews, but it’s rarely dull (comedy bits from Louis CK and tunes from Queen and Coldplay don’t hurt). Speakers include economic professors, debt collectors, pawn brokers, investigative reporters, beleaguered consumers, and even Robin Leach (Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous). Instead of New York and Los Angeles, he concentrates on mid-size cities, like Minneapolis, Oklahoma City, and Seattle. Plenty of small towns also come into play. Though he never presses the point himself, Scurlock allows his subjects to note the similarities between the credit industry and the drug trade (others use such incendiary terms as “rape”). One thing he neglects to mention, however, is pride. If house payments are ruining your life, selling that property may be the only solution. In most cases, however, it’s hard not to feel for those individuals who didn’t know what they were getting into before they signed their lives away. For some viewers, this will be a dispiriting documentary–three subjects recount the suicides of relatives who found their debt too much to bear–but in explaining exactly how lenders and creditors make money, Maxed Out can help others to avoid some of their most egregious practices. In other words, debt may be a downer, but knowledge is power. –Kathleen C. Fennessy

Rating: (out of 84 reviews)

List Price: $ 14.98
Price: $ 7.91

Maxed Out Reviews

Review by !Edwin C. Pauzer:

The woman looks out at the camera while showing the audience her new home in the making. She tells us how the bank guaranteed her mortgage based on the projected increased value of the house from its original price, after completion. We are told this is the exact same accounting procedure that Enron used.

There are some facts that this DVD makes clear. America, once a country where people were forced to live within their means has become a nation of debtors. Our indebtedness has been encouraged and even exploited by politicians, and credit card companies who tell us they are everywhere we want to be. With the complicity of congress, credit card companies are sapping the financial vitality of the American family.

Almost all politicians have told us that we should continue to consume. If it isn’t Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger telling us from the front of an auto dealership that we need a new car, it’s George W. Bush who told us after 9/11, to hell with sacrifices–just buy (and get into more debt).

In the 1980′s President Ronald Reagan encouraged deregulation. Banks, once unable to operate in other states or float credit cards could now do so. Knowing that we could have something now instead of later was tempting for too many people. As the DVD reveals, the banks found a master marketer who suggested that they have zero percent interest “come-ons.”

Then, there was targeting the right population. College kids were especially targeted with free Frisbees, school tee shirts, or any other gimmick that was given just for filling out an application. Calculated in this decision was to lure kids with future income potential and limited current income to make them debtors for life. The full-time working, non-student, eighteen year olds were usually rejected because they were more likely to make the monthly payments.

Enter MBNA. They write the new bankruptcy law that the 109th republican dominated Congress will adopt. This Congress has its hands in the pockets of the banks and credit card companies, and they make it quite clear that their obligation is to represent their largest contributors rather than their constituents. In the words of Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah, the purpose of the bill is “to make Americans more responsible.”

It’s unfortunate that the good senator didn’t feel the same way about the credit card companies, which were then allowed to charge rates once thought of as criminal e.g. 35% on delinquent credit card payments. (Just think. At that rate, one in three borrowers could default and the credit card companies and banks would still make money)! Additional “fees” are added for processing, lateness, etc. Providian, which tried to lure people with low interest rates, withheld deposit or simply shredded payments so they could charge late fees and raise interest rates.

Another genius decision was to maintain low monthly payment minimums. This will guarantee that a ,000 balance would require payments of more than ,000 to pay off. It would also lull the consumer into feeling that the burden was not too much to bear, and that the card could still be used.

But the banks were still not short on ingenuity in coming up with more ways to make money via credit cards. They could sell their debt to collectors who were ready to dun borrowers and take them to court for judgments and liens.

There is a heavy-handed part to this story that I was uncomfortable with. It was the tragedy of two mothers whose children committed suicide because they had acquired too many credit cards and could not pay them back the enormous amount of debt they accumulated. Obviously, this decision was driven by their own thoughts rather than by collection coersion. They tell their story to Congress asking them to change these laws as they face an array of bankers and lawyers. They knew nothing would happen, and nothing did. (But at least Congress did investigate the important stuff, like if Roger Clemens was using performance-enhancing drugs)!

The intentional irony here was a number of these bankers and company executives telling Congress: “We are sensitive to the needs of our customers.”

And some day pigs will fly.

I recommend you see this or buy it. But, please–pay cash for it.

Easter Monday

301 More Days and a Wake-Up

Thanks for the recommendation, Marc.

November 5, 2009: The credit card companies that are so sensitive to the needs of their customers are raising interest rates up the maximum currently allowed by law. That means 29% and 30% for customers with outstanding credit.

As I said, some day pigs will fly.

Review by Matthew G. Sherwin:

The best things in life are free

But you can keep ‘em for the birds and bees

Now give me money (that’s what I want)

That’s what I want (that’s what I want)

That’s what I want (that’s what I want), yeah

That’s what I want

Your lovin’ gives me a thrill

But your lovin’ don’t pay my bills

Now give me money (that’s what I want)

That’s what I want (that’s what I want)

That’s what I want (that’s what I want), yeah

That’s what I want

Money don’t get everything it’s true,

What it don’t get I can’t use;

Now give me money (that’s what I want)

That’s what I want (that’s what I want)

That’s what I want (that’s what I want), yeah

That’s what I want

People want money. The credit card moguls prey on consumers who don’t read the fine print before they sign their lives away; elected government officials including presidents “borrow” money from Social Security; and the average person wants an endless income. As my grandfather used to say, “Rich or poor, it’s good to have money.”

Maxed Out is an excellent documentary that, although somewhat disjointed, does do a very good job of exploring and explaining to people–in plain English–the risks of too much debt and the responsibilities they must face when it comes time to pay back that debt. We get fascinating interviews with unsuspecting, everyday people who unknowingly were fooled by creditors to become saddled with more debt than they could handle. We also see examples of families shattered when a member of the family actually kills themselves rather than face the shame of debt or bankruptcy. In addition, look for some excellent insights from Elizabeth Warren from Harvard University and former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan.

Maxed Out can be difficult to watch. After all, the stories we learn of are rather sad and unpleasant. We learn of credit card companies so driven to sign anyone up they give out credit cards like candy to college freshmen working a mere 12 hours a week. It’s scary. We learn how four consecutive presidents “borrowed” money from social security just to pay interest on government loans and to keep the government open. (Actually, even this failed when the government closed for three days a few years ago.) Ay!

Worse yet, we are introduced to people at collection agencies who rather heartlessly leave messages with relatives and neighbors of the people in debt so that the debtors can be publicly embarrassed about getting a call from a collection agency. The shame is so great that according to Elizabeth Warren a bankruptcy is often referred to as “the event” because people can’t bear to hear the word bankruptcy.

Of course, there is the other side of the coin. We see Dave Ramsey, a radio DJ who coaches individual responsibility when it comes to money management. I also had the sense, although the movie did not spell this out, that many parents simply assume that their eighteen year olds would never be given a credit card–and so too many parents never teach their kids about the risks of racking up debt. Parents and schools need to teach lessons about money management very, very carefully.

Overall, Maxed Out is an excellent film that deals with all of the above and more. The DVD also comes with interesting bonuses including another interview with Elizabeth Warren; a 1950′s educational film about credit and money management that should still be shown to young students today; and we also get another close look at Dave Ramsey who counsels people on the radio about debt and getting out of it.

I highly recommend Maxed Out for anyone who wants to better understand just how predatory credit card companies can be–and just how much we still need to know about overall money management to avoid much more debt than we could ever repay. This movie also benefits from an excellent soundtrack. Although this subject matter could be dry, the movie keeps it all interesting by also showing interviews with everyday people about their financial problems and other film clips.

Buy Maxed Out now for only $ 7.91!

Texas Instruments BA Real Estate Financial Calculator

BAIIPlus Financial CalculatorTexas Instruments’ BA real estate calculator is more powerful than its light, slim size suggests. Its face features keys that bankers, real estate agents, and students need most often to perform important calculations such as loan problems, payment schedules, and annual percentage rates. The BA’s small keys are very responsive, and a shift button doubles the functions of many of them. Its small screen displays up to 10 digits. Text and symbols on the left-hand side prompt users for information in the order it’s needed to complete a calculation; it’s a snap to track how the data you’re keying in will affect the equation you’re solving. A backspace key let us easily correct mistakes without having to clear an entire line. We also were able to establish qualifying ratios and save local tax and insurance rates to memory for use in later calculations. Professionals can make calculations immediately, and students will appreciate the detailed instruction manual, replete with examples. Texas Instruments even included a set of handy worksheets with common calculations such as amortization schedules, various loan qualifications, and adjustable versus fixed-rate interest; printed on the worksheets are complete instructions for performing the calculations on the BA. Beginners will find this a snap to use without having to memorize multiple keys and abbreviations. The BA comes with a plastic cover that fits on the back of the device when the calculator is in use, and includes a quick reference card inside the cover in case you need a refresher and the manual isn’t handy. –T. Byrl Baker Pros: Excellent documentation, complete with a quick-reference card and worksheet templates Device prompts users step by step through complex calculations Constants such as tax rates are easy to enter and update as necessary Cons:

• Computes buyer qualification
• Calculates PITI, Canadian mortgages
• Calculates ARMs, bi-weekly payments
• Time-value-of-money calculations
• Generates amortization schedules

Rating: (out of 10 reviews)

List Price: $ 45.00
Price: $ 44.88

Texas Instruments BA Real Estate Financial Calculator Reviews

Review by Edward H. Tran:

During the many years going to college (I majored in Finance), working as a Banker, and now as a Realtor/Loan Officer, I have used many different financial calculators made by Sharp, HP, and Texas Instruments, etc. Each of the calculators I’ve tried has some good points and some bad ones. However, if you work in real estate, this calculator is made for you. It is loaded with excellent features specifically designed for this industry. I paid over for my calculator when it first came out, and I felt I got every penny’s worth. At the current price of less than forty bucks, it’s absolutely a bargain! Another reviewer on this page complains about the responsiveness of the keys. I simply don’t have any problem like that at all. He or she must have had a defective one. I always tap the keys very fast, and the numbers come out all right. In short, if you’re heavily involved with real estate and mortgages, I highly recommend you to give this calculator a try!

Review by Matthew Troxell:

Some reviewers say that they have a problem with not hitting the keys hard enough will give them bad results. I have to disagree. Maybe they did some design changes, cause now it is not a problem to quickly skim and hit the keys for accurate results. All the wasted time spent with with my old financial calc. and a pen and paper. Well worth the 32 bucks I paid. Highly recommended!!!

Buy Texas Instruments BA Real Estate Financial Calculator now for only $ 44.88!

Mortgages 101: Quick Answers to Over 250 Critical Questions About Your Home Loan

With mortgage stories dominating the front-page news, people–whether they’re buying a new house or refinancing–increasingly have questions about the complicated issues at stake. Arranged in an easily accessible question-and-answer format, Mortgages 101 provides readers with essential lending formulas, as well as important information on lending requirements and appli­ca­tion procedures. The book shows readers how to save money by: understanding key terms like ARMs and hybrids–and reading what’s in the fine print * improving their credit scores to increase their borrowing power * using technology to get the lowest interest rates * maximizing their return on investment, and cutting the cost of mortgage insurance This revised edition includes up-to-date material on new loan and government programs, changes to the law regarding tax deductions, down payment assistance, reverse mortgages, bankruptcy, negative amortization and more–in short, all the answers readers need, in one must-have reference.

• ISBN13: 9780814401668
• Condition: USED – Very Good
• Notes: BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed

Rating: (out of 18 reviews)

List Price: $ 16.95
Price: $ 0.08

Mortgages 101: Quick Answers to Over 250 Critical Questions About Your Home Loan

With mortgage stories dominating the front-page news, people–whether they’re buying a new house or refinancing–increasingly have questions about the complicated issues at stake. Arranged in an easily accessible question-and-answer format, Mortgages 101 provides readers with essential lending formulas, as well as important information on lending requirements and appli­ca­tion procedures. The book shows readers how to save money by: understanding key terms like ARMs and hybrids–and reading what’s in the fine print * improving their credit scores to increase their borrowing power * using technology to get the lowest interest rates * maximizing their return on investment, and cutting the cost of mortgage insurance This revised edition includes up-to-date material on new loan and government programs, changes to the law regarding tax deductions, down payment assistance, reverse mortgages, bankruptcy, negative amortization and more–in short, all the answers readers need, in one must-have reference.

Rating: (out of 18 reviews)

List Price: $ 16.95
Price:

Personal Name Gift – “LOAN” Stainless Steel Mug (black design)

This is a brand new stainless steel mug imprinted using sublimation technology. It is a 14 oz mug and has (LOAN) printed on it

List Price: $ 17.99
Price: $ 17.99